KI:s environmental and sustainability management system

The aim of KI:s environmental and sustainability efforts is to strengthen and make more visible KI:s research and educational role for sustainable development as well as to take environmental and social responsibility in the way KI as an organisation is operated. The work is managed in a system that is being built up in accordance with the international standard for environmental management ISO 14001.

Guidelines

KI:s environmental and sustainability guidelines specify the overall objectives for KI:s environmental and sustainability work in a number of priority areas - research, education, energy, travel, procurement, purchasing, laboratory safety and waste. These guidelines are KI:s environmental policy.

KI departments decide in their business plans on measures taken within the department to contribute to KI:s guidelines for environmental and sustainable development.

Organisation and responsibilities

The Vice-Chancellor has established an organisation as well as responsibilities within KI:s environmental and sustainability work, including a number of specific duties to KI boards and university management.

According to Vice-Chancellor’s decision-making procedures and delegation rules for Karolinska Institutet, the heads of department have responsibility for all the activities of their departments, which includes the environmental and sustainability efforts. To assist them, the head of department should appoint one or more representative(s) for matters relating to environment and sustainability at their department in a written delegation, see below.

Competence

All employees at KI should be aware of the overall objectives of KI:s environmental and sustainability work (KI:s environmental and sustainability guidelines) and the KI rules relating to their own work. It is thus important that new employees at each deapartment are introduced to this work. The below presentation can be used for this purpose.

Please note! Departments are responsible for ensuring that current versions of KI and local rules are communicated and applied at the department.

Laws and legislative compliance

Laws, ordinances and regulations that are relevant to KI:s environmental and sustainability work are gathered in a webb based list (Laglista). The list is also a tool for monitoring legislative compliance.

Internal environmental audits

Internal environmental audits against ISO 14001 are conducted annually. The audits should cover the entire KI during a three year period which basically means that each department is visited by the internal environmental auditor every three years.

Internal environmental audits at KI 2017

University Vice-Chancellor review

The University Vice-Chancellor evaluates at least once a year if KI:s environmental and sustainability management systems is sufficient and effective. KI:s management group prepares the University President review of the management system.